Results 11,601-11,620 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Parliamentary Questions (20 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I appreciate that delays in receiving detailed replies can be frustrating for Deputies. In some instances, however, it is necessary to collate responses from numerous sources and operational pressures may cause delay. I will arrange to have this matter raised with the Garda Commissioner and the Chair designate of the Independent Police Authority with a view to improving my Department's...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Stardust Fire (20 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I met with the Stardust Relatives' and Victims Committee in July of last year and this meeting provided an opportunity for me to hear their concerns at first hand. At that meeting the Committee and their representatives set out, in some detail, their concerns in relation to the Inquiries into this matter that have been undertaken previously and some related financial issues that have arisen....

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Government Pardons (20 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I can inform the Deputy that it is my intention to bring a recommendation to Government in the near future concerning the question of a pardon in this case. The specific issue raised by him will fall to be examined following formal consideration by Government on the question of a pardon. I can, however, advise him that my Department is in contact with family members of the person in...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Garda Deployment (20 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: One of the primary functions of the Garda Commissioner under the Garda Síochána Acts, is to direct and control An Garda Síochána. The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel among the Garda Regions, Divisions, and Districts. Garda management keep this distribution under continuing review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so...

Other Questions: Garda Strength (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: At present, a total of 301 gardaí serve in the Kildare area. The Deputy outlined very clearly that one of the increasing issues with regard to crime in this country is that mobile gangs use very good transport links to facilitate crime by moving in and out of an area quickly, committing a series of crimes there. The Garda is very aware of this issue and is working to address it. A...

Other Questions: Garda Strength (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The key point I make with regard to the issues raised by the Deputies is that clearly the economic situation we inherited had an impact in that gardaí were not recruited. This is the bottom line. The situations outlined by the Deputies were a direct result of the economic situation in which the country found itself. Due to the actions of the Government we are in a far better economic...

Other Questions: Crime Prevention (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I acknowledge the Deputy's interest in specific legislation relating to this issue which he has sent to my Department and which we are examining. He refers to the further use of mandatory prison sentences. I refer to the Law Reform Commission report on sentencing and its views on the existing presumptive mandatory minimum sentence provision for various offences. The recent report on penal...

Other Questions: Crime Prevention (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Thanks to the improved economic situation there has been an increase in the justice budget for the first time in a number of years. Three hundred gardaí have been recruited and the next group will go to Templemore in the next two weeks. There has been increased investment in Garda vehicles by this Government of up to €27 million over the past number of years. I believe these...

Other Questions: Garda Strength (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: One of my priorities is to maintain and enhance the capacity of An Garda Síochána to protect the public, and in particular to prevent and detect crime. It is true that Garda strength has been affected by retirements and that is why I was pleased to be able to secure approval from this Government for the resumption of Garda recruitment. One hundred new recruits entered training at...

Other Questions: International Terrorism (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I share the Deputy's concern and sympathy for the French nation in relation to the recent atrocities. There is considerable concern across Europe and elsewhere at the phenomenon of individuals travelling to conflict areas in the Middle East and the consequential threat posed to national security. This matter will be discussed in two weeks at the informal Justice and Home Affairs Council...

Other Questions: International Terrorism (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I do have the power to withdraw citizenship. As the Deputy will be aware, there is a very particular procedure laid out in that regard. The issue of evidence in relation to people who travel and the purposes for which they travel is a complex one. Many people have asked if, for example, people could be prevented from travelling. The majority of those travelling to Syria from Ireland and...

Other Questions: International Terrorism (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: The key point in response to the Deputy's question - I have checked this out - is that it is important to follow the money, as CAB has effectively done. The legislation in place in relation to money laundering and the type of activity outlined by the Deputy would allow us to do what he suggests. If there is evidence of that type of activity, that legislation will be used. As I said, one...

Other Questions: Crime Prevention (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I thank Deputy Griffin for tabling this question. Like the Deputy, I consider the deliberate ramming of Garda vehicles to be a very serious matter and can assure him that the safety of gardaí and the general public is of paramount importance. I can also assure the Deputy that all incidents of this nature are subject to full investigation by An Garda Síochána. It is a...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Firearms Licences (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: However, I do not want representative groups to assume decisions have been made before they have been made.

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Commissions of Investigation (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I established a commission of investigation on foot of the recommendations of the Guerin report. I laid before the House a draft of the order, which includes the terms of reference, proposing the establishment of the commission. I also laid before the House a statement of the reasons for establishing the commission. All of the matters recommended by Mr. Seán Guerin SC for inclusion in...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Commissions of Investigation (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: As the Deputy stated, a considerable amount of analysis has been done at this stage. It is important to act now to bring about change and the Government has taken action to address the issues the Deputy outlined. A commission of investigation was established on foot of the Guerin report and will be led by Mr. Justice Kevin O'Higgins. We have also established the Fennelly commission, which...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Commissions of Investigation (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I believe the range of initiatives we have taken will make a difference and begin to address many of the issues to which the Deputy refers. To go back to the case in County Donegal and a number of other reports, various actions have been taken to deal with the issues the Deputy outlined. I also believe the Garda Commissioner is committed to dealing with the points the Deputy makes. While I...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Firearms Licences (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: Following public safety concerns raised by An Garda Síochána about specific categories of firearms, a joint Department and Garda Síochána working group was established to examine this issue in October 2013. Its report was published on 13 November. The report outlined the views expressed by An Garda Síochána that centre-fire handguns are primarily designed to...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Firearms Licences (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: I made the point that there will be full consultation. I have no doubt the justice committee, of which Deputy Niall Collins is a member and Deputy David Stanton is the Chairman, will do excellent work in getting to the bottom of these statistics and examining them in detail. While it is a different issue, I have set up a working group to look at technology and An Garda...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Firearms Licences (15 Jan 2015)

Frances Fitzgerald: This is an issue of concern to the wider population as well.